The Nordic Walking Scam And The Lip Stick On A Pig Thing

Unfortunately at the holidays thousands of well meaning Americans order walking poles for their spouse or parents not knowing that poles that they just ordered were nothing close to real Nordic Walking Poles. By total accident they ordered cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles that were marketed as "real Nordic Walking Poles" but were in reality just cheap/flimsy telescoping/collapsible/adjustable length poles mass produced in China. Sure these cheap/flimsy poles came with a lot marketing hype and many had "Nordic Walking" printed on them, but were they really the ideal choice for the targeted audience? NO - these cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles are not ideal for every day use or for seniors or for anyone with a balance issue. Only quality one-piece poles equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps are the real deal. In North America the only one-piece poles equipped with REAL Nordic Walking Straps are made by SWIX and EXEL - both are available from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Big Box Stores also stock those cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles from China. Many of the floor models at these big box stores are defective and just spin for infinity - never tightening and allowing them to be taken for a test drive. Quality one-piece poles don't have that problem. And the only source in North America for real Nordic Walking Poles in 16 different lengths is WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles vary in price from $20.00 per pair to $200.00 per pair. They all tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or fail unexpectedly. REAL Nordic Walking Poles are a one-piece design and are custom fit to your height. Companies that offer only 6 or less different lengths of poles are unable to provide the Perfect Length Poles to their customers. At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we offer 16 different standard lengths and also custom fit those in-between sizes and back it all up with  a Perfect Length Guarantee. Prices start at a reasonable $69.95 per pair for a complete package that includes the Perfect Length Poles, free Nordic Walking DVD, printed instructions, patented comfortable straps (patented by the Salomon Ski Company), durable metal tips (for snow, ice, trails, grass, the beach and the sand dunes), removable rubber tips/asphalt paws for pavement and hard surfaces, .......

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we offer both SWIX Nordic Walking Poles from Norway and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles from Finland. These quality Nordic Walking Poles are the real thing and not cheap/flimsy crap from China.

Many of our customers accidentally purchased or were given as a well meaning gift 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles. Many of these poles came right from the store or online retailer with defective twist-locks or flip-locks and the poles couldn't be set at the proper length - they just kept spinning and twisting without catching and tightening as advertised. Luckily, many of these disgruntled individuals found us and our hassle free one-piece Nordic Walking Poles - Real Nordic Walking Poles.

The mass produced and inexpensive 2-piece and 3-piece poles are all made in the same factories in China and all have a typically short life span due to their cheap/flimsy design. Typically these imitation Nordic Walking Poles either come with no straps or old-fashion/cheap loop straps or velco slings that are no where near as effective and comfortable as real Nordic Walking Straps. All of the straps on our SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles are the comfortable patented fingerless glove type straps. These are REAL Nordic Walking Straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

Cheap/flimsy mass produced poles are often identical the to "free" poles often included in SnowShoe packages. And these cheap/flimsy snowshoe poles have the worst reputation. This past week one of my new customers said that his new $140 Leki poles (made in China) vibrated even more than his cheap snowshoe poles. Clearly showing that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles will NEVER come close to the quality and positive performance of one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

Skiers, Ski Shops and Ski Rental Shops all know that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles wouldn't hold up for downhill or cross country skiing. These same cheap/flimsy poles should never be sold to seniors or anyone with a balance issues. Only quality one-piece poles can provide the added safety, strength and user-friendly advantages.

Don't get scammed by cheap/flimsy collapsible poles. If you did return them. And don't be embarrassed that you fell for all that lipstick and marketing hype put into those cheap/flimsy collapsible poles from China. Tons of lipstick on a pig doesn't make that pig something that it isn't. Real Nordic Walking Poles are a quality one-piece design and at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we sincerely feel that it is an ethical violation to sell seniors and those with balance issues cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles. We only recommend quality one-piece poles for walking, hiking, treking, downhill skiing (alpine), Nordic skiing (skate and classic cross country skiing), snowshoeing, roller skiing and Nordic blading (inline skating).

The Best Nordic Walking Poles For Tall Individuals

I just took an order over the phone from a new customer that is 6' 5 1/2" inches tall. He asked if we had poles that would work for his height and with all honesty I was able to say yes we have quality one-piece poles perfect for his height. Here at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we carry 16 standard pole lengths and we can custom fit individuals in-between sizes.

I assured this new customer that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles would not work for someone that tall. He commented that he had just gotten off the phone with a company that assured him that their collapsible poles would work just fine. The sad but true thing about collapsible poles is that they are horrible for even in the height range they are designed for and they are extremely horrible for those outside the range. When you extend an already cheap/flimsy pair of collapsible poles to their maximum setting they are then at their weakest, most bendy and most unreliable setting. And even at their tallest setting the poles would be way to short for someone 6' 5 1/2".

Ideally the Perfect Length Poles put the elbow at about 90 degrees and the forearm parallel to the ground when the individual is standing tall and strapped into the poles. It just goes to show that the companies selling these cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles are just out to sell and don't care if the poles fit correctly or not. The few other companies that carry one-piece poles here in North America only carry 5 or 6 different lengths at most and they can't fit the majority of Americans with such a small size curve. We carry 16 different lengths of SWIX and EXEL poles. There are tons of poles on the market, but there are very few quality poles out there. SWIX and EXEL poles are the most respected in Europe - for walking and for skiing.

After hosting hundreds of Nordic Walking classes and clinics during the past eight years I have developed a pretty good feel for sizing everyone into the Perfect Length Poles. ALL my customers receive a perfect length guarantee. ALL 16 sizes are in-stock and ready to ship. Once I know how tall someone is I personally select the perfect length poles for their height.

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

Don't get scammed by the cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles from China flooding the market - they are online and in every big box store. One-piece poles from SWIX of Norway and EXEL of Finland will always prove to be safer, lighter, stronger, more durable and much more user-friendly than all the flimsy collapsible poles priced from $20.00 - $200.00 per pair. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should NEVER use collapsible poles - but the companies promoting them will gladly sell you a pair. Most individuals looking for Nordic Walking Poles are sold "trekking" poles by accident too. Those collapsible poles don't have the real Nordic Walking Straps and they don't usually have the rubber tips/asphalt paws for pavement. Collapsible poles have plastic twist-lock and flip-lock mechanisms

Skiwalking.com LLC and the American Nordic Walking System have 100% positive satisfaction ratings because we provide the quality SWIX and EXEL one-piece poles with a Perfect Length Guarantee. We don't scam our customers with collapsible poles. We always recommend sturdy and user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

2010 Glen Lake Turkey Trot Welcomes Runners, Walkers, Jogging Stollers and Nordic Walking Poles

Costumes Are Optional, But A Tradition For The Glen Lake Varsity Cross Country Team

The 2010 Glen Lake Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk are all about celebrating health and fitness out on beautiful wooded trails. Runners, walkers, jogging strollers and Nordic walking poles are welcome. The Turkey Trot is being held on Saturday, November 13th - 10am start time.

Over a dozen turkeys and other prizes will be randomly drawn and awarded at the conclusion of the event.

The Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for the Glen Lake Cross Country Running Program.

There will be race day registration. Turkey Trot applications can be picked up at the Glen Lake Athletic Office or in Traverse City at either of the Running Fit Locations - downtown or on south airport.

Runners, walkers, Nordic walkers and Nordic runners of all ages welcome.

For more info please contact Coach Schut

by phone: 231-334-3061 ext. 405

by email: schutr@glenlake.k12.mi.us

World Nordic Walking Day A Total Success

We had perfect weather for our Nordic Walking adventures on World Nordic Walking Day - October 10th.

I was able to offer free Nordic Walking Lessons in town (Glen Arbor, Michigan) and lead free Nordic Walking Tours into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our favorite routes are the beautiful hilly and wooded trails behind town up on Alligator Hill. On sunny days like Oct. 10th the #1 pick is always Devils Hole high up on the Sleeping Bear Dunes in a secrete location that only locals know about.

All participants in the free lessons and free tours received a free pair of demo poles for the day - real SWIX Nordic Walking Poles. I only teach lessons with one-piece Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly. I carry 16 different lengths so sizing is easy and hassle free. I do not promote or recommend cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should also avoid cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.

Our quality one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles are proven to be safer, lighter and much more durable than collapsible poles from China that tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or collapse unexpectedly.

As a ski coach it only makes sense to use one-piece poles because cheap/flimsy collapsible poles couldn't cut it. Most of the cheap/flimsy collapsible poles are destined for the landfill.

Walking with Poles is the best!

Nordic Walking In Alaska

We arrived in Juneau on Alaska Airlines, but before we took our bush plane to Gustavus, our cousin took us straight to the Mendenhall Glacier in back of town. Spectacular!

Our Nordic Walking Poles came in handy as we followed the paths, trails and boardwalks. We toured the stream full of Salmon and Dolly Varden Trout. And then followed the trail out to Mendenall glacier waterfall.

We then took a quick trip to Sheep Creek. My son kicked off his shoes waded out and held up a Salmon for a picture and released it gently to finish its run upstream.

The flight to Gustavus was totally unbelievable as we cruised above the peaks that make road travel impossible between Juneau and Gustavus. The town of Gustavus is surrounded by the Glacier Bay National Park. The trails around Gustavus proved ideal for Nordic Walking and Nordic Running. Our grand finale was a marathon Nordic Walk on the Bartlett Lake trail. Our poles came in super handy on this rugged trail with tricky sections of rocks, roots and wet-spots.

We traveled to Alaska with our trusty one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles. These poles are hassle free – no twist-locks or flip-locks. Our poles don’t rattle, vibrate or self-adjust and/or collapse unexpectedly. We have proven during our own adventures and have also been told repeatedly by others that our one-piece poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable then the cheap twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles that can and do collapse without warning. For information about Nordic Walking Poles and Nordic Walking Instruction go to SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

This perfect vacation including Nordic Walking Clinics at the Gustavus Inn, Nordic Walking the trails around town and the Bartlett Trail System, whale watching, stream fishing and salt water fishing for halibut. Whale watching and salt-water fishing included numerous viewings of porpoises, sea otter, seals and sea lions.

For lodging info in Gustavus go to http://www.gustavusinn.com and inquire about 2010 reservations.

It was great to add Alaska to our Nordic Walking calendar. Our dependable and hassle free one-piece poles have been tested in the city, around town and in the Alleghenies, White Mountains, Green Mountains, Grand Canyon, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pikes Peak, ……….

Walking with poles is the best!

Nordic Walking And Cross Country Skiing Connection

Cross country skiing is the often credited as being the most effective exercise at burning calories. Walking with Nordic Walking Poles is a wonderful way to achieve many of the benefits of cross country skiing. I love cross country skiing. I have always enjoyed cross country skiing with my family. If I'm lucky my family will go cross country skiing with me with headlamps on when I'm done coaching at the end of the day - I can NEVER get enough cross country skiing (classic or skating techniques). When the snow melts my Nordic Walking Poles save the day.

Both cross country skiing and Nordic Walking are gentle on the weight-bearing joints - gentle on the shins, knees, hips and back. Plus both utilize all of the major muscle groups.

No snow - no problem. Nordic Walking Poles are practical year round in any climate. Nordic Walking Poles can help to burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking. In Europe over 8 million people are walking with poles in the cities (with the removable rubber tips on), in the country and up in the mountains. The rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Paws are ideal for pavement and other hard surfaces - even in the mall, on carpet, in parking garages and on indoor and outdoor tracks. With the removable rubber tips off, the metal tips are ideal for trails, grass, the beach, snow and ice.

Cross country skiers use durable one-piece poles that are sized correctly to each individual's height. One-piece poles are also proven to be more effective for Nordic Walking too. One-piece Nordic Walking Poles are proven safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. Would a ski racer ever use twist-locking poles in a ski race? Would recreational skiers use twist-locking poles? The answer is no - both racers and recreational skiers use one-piece poles because they are more durable and much more user friendly.

The best cross country ski poles are equipped with comfortable patented fingerless glove type straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company. The best Nordic Walking Poles are also equipped with these comfortable fingerless glove type straps - eliminating the need to grip the poles and allowing the pressure to be applied into the cradle of the straps. My ski poles are one piece, of course, and equipped with SWIX fingerless glove-type straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

When it comes to Nordic Running the one-piece poles shine again. Twist-locking poles typically can not hold up to the added demands of Nordic Running - running with Nordic Walking Poles.

At the American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM we are committed to the simple fact that one-piece poles are ideal for Nordic Walking. And Nordic Walking is ideal for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels. The American Nordic Walking System offers a variety of intensity and exertion levels. There is an ideal level of intensity and exertion for everyone. Always be sure to consult your physician though before starting any new exercise program. Like cross country skiing there are risks - including cracks in the sidewalk, tree roots and unexpected terrain changes.

While hosting clinics today I heard from a gentleman from Ohio who told about the problems he had with the twist-locks on his expensive twist-locking poles. He and his wife LOVED our new EXEL Urban Skier Nordic Walking Poles during their lesson and insisted on buying two pairs.

Every day we hear from new customers who have had trouble with their poles' twist-lock systems, but they liked the concept of walking with poles so much that they did some homework and learned that they didn't have to settle for twist-lock or flip-lock systems that prove to NOT be user friendly. Twist-locking adjustable poles often rattle, vibrate and do not hold their settings - allowing the pole(s) to get shorter and/or collapse unexpectedly. One piece poles that are sized correctly prove to be much more user friendly, lighter and hassle free.

The runners and skiers that I coach often utilize Nordic Walking Poles for cross training. Twist-locking poles could NOT hold up to their ambitious wear and tear. The poles do radically reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back - helping to eliminate shin and/or knee pain (shin splints/runners knee).

Walking with poles is the best!

Nordic Walking Coming To The 2009 Senior Games – The Province of Zeeland, Netherlands

Nordic Walking will be recognized at the 2009 Senior Games in September. Nordic Walking will be offered under the category of "Recreational Sports" which is only fitting given the fact that over 7 million Europeans are using Nordic Walking Poles – in the cities, out in the country and up in the Mountains.

This will be the first time that the Senior Games will be hosted in Europe. The Senior Games is an international sports event for people over fifty. The Senior Games will take place in the Province of Zeeland, Netherlands, September 7-12, 2009. The event is anticipated to draw over 3,000 participants from over two dozen countries (including the USA and Canada).

Additional info about the Nordic Walking events will be posted soon at: http://www.seniorgames2009.com/page/Recreational-Sports

For more information about the Senior Games coming to the Province of Zeeland, Netherlands go to: http://www.seniorgames2009.com

Nordic Walking is also the fastest growing fitness activity in Europe and the health benefits are many. We are supposed to be walking for at least a half hour a day and Nordic Walking Poles can help many to start walking safely and effectively immediately. Walking with poles can help to burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking. Ski Walking is no longer just for the world’s best skiers when deprived of snow – Nordic Walking Poles successfully replace canes and walkers when I host Nordic Walking Clinics at Senior Expos, multiple sclerosis (MS) support group meetings and parkinson's (PD) support group meetings.

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

At the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we offer real Nordic Walking Poles equipped with comfortable patented comfortable straps (patented by the Salomon Ski Company. These quality one-piece poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. ALL 14 sizes are in-stock and ready to ship.

And when it comes to Nordic Walking instruction the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM provide safe and effective Nordic Walking instruction - with exertion options and intensity levels allowing Nordic Walking to now be doable for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels.

Walking with poles is the best!

Nordic Walking In The Green Mountains

While attending our daughter's graduation from Middlebury College we had time to explore the Green Mountains, the Middlebury College campus and the Bread Loaf Inn/Nordic Center (according to the NEW YORKER - "the oldest and most prestigious writers' conference in the country").

The Bread Loaf Nordic Center's cross country ski trails double as excellent trails for Nordic Walking and Nordic Running spring, summer and fall. The staff at the Bread Loaf Nordic Center groom the trails to perfection during the winter - for both skating technique and classic/diagonal technique.

As expected, our lightweight and user friendly one-piece Nordic Walking Poles dominated on campus and in the mountains. As usual many of the other hikers we met had issues with their cheap-twist locking poles.

One-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles from China.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the graduation commencement talk given by Gary Hirshberg, president and CEO of Stonyfield Farm (world’s #1 organic yogurt company). The message could not have been better timed for both graduates and those of us in attendance. Green business practices are proving to profitable and are helping to minimize our negative effects on the environment.

At the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we take pride in the fact that we utilize recycled paper for all of our printing, for recycling everything we can, for communicating via the internet rather than direct mail, for using the greenest of shipping options with support from the United States Postal Service, for NOT promoting cheap twist-lock poles destined for the landfill and for encouraging more walking and less driving.

Prior to our road trip to Vermont I had the opportunity to host FREE Nordic Walking Clinics at two different Senior Expo Events. All participants had the opportunity to demo REAL Nordic Walking Poles in the sizes appropriate for their heights. ALL poles from The American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM are equipped with patented and comfortable Nordic Walking Straps (kind of like a fingerless glove and patented by the Salomon Ski Company). During every class we were interrupted by enthusiastic Nordic Walkers that came up to our classes and stated their positive support for Nordic Walking Poles. Participants both days included individuals with balance issues, knee issues or new knees, hip issues or new hips, back issues (including those with rods in their back), weight issues, multiple sclerosis (MS), parkinson’s disease (PD), neuropathy, arthritis, bursitis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, stroke recovery, cancer recovery and those with other limitations to walking. In all of these cases our user friendly one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic poles from SKIWALKING.COM proved to be safe and effective - cheap twist-locking poles with inferior straps could not have provided similar success.

Nordic Walking poles are helping thousands of Americans get off the couch, successfully get outside, start walking safely and effectively launch much needed walking campaigns.

Walking with poles is the best!

Celebrate “Winter Trails Day” With Nordic Walking, Nordic Snowshoeing and/or Nordic Skiing (Cross Country Skiing)

Winter Trails Day is January 10th, 2009 – a great day to launch your Nordic Walking, Nordic Snowshoeing or Nordic Skiing campaign. Regardless of the weather, one of my favorite Nordic Sports will be doable this coming Saturday during "Winter Trails Day".

For those deprived of snow, grab some Nordic Walking Poles and hit your favorite trail for an effective, yet low impact aerobic adventure. Real Nordic Walking Poles are equipped with special removable rubber Nordic Walking tips/paws for use on pavement and other hard surfaces. Nordic Walking poles are also equipped with metal tips for use on trails, the beach, snow and ice – just pop off the removable rubber Nordic Walking tips/paws.

If you are lucky enough to have snow try Nordic Snowshoeing (snowshoeing with poles) or Nordic Skiing (cross country skiing). If snowshoes or skis aren’t an option, again try Nordic Walking Poles. If Nordic Walking on cross country trials please be thoughtful and do NOT walk in the skier’s tracks. Snowshoers and Nordic Walkers should avoid designated and groomed cross country trails. There are safety issues regarding foot traffic on cross country trails – so we all need to think safety first.

Cross country skiing provides the ultimate aerobic workout. The new cross country ski equipment is super user friendly – comfortable boots and skis that are wider and shorter. And when it comes to snowshoeing, durable one-piece poles can save the day. Snowshoeing often triggers lower back pain, but if poles are used, the elimination of lower back pain is almost a guarantee! Plus the poles help to give the upper body a workout and improve balance/stability.

Walking with Nordic Walking Poles also helps to radically reduce back pain and minimize the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. When using the correct length Nordic Walking poles we are almost tricked magically into walking with a super straight back – improved biomechanics is a good thing! We can also burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking when using Nordic Walking Poles. And when it comes to improving balance and stability, Nordic Walking Poles have been proven successful for those using canes and walkers at numerous MS (multiple sclerosis), PD (Parkinson’s) and Diabetes (Neuropathy) Support Groups that I have had the opportunity to offer free Nordic Walking Clinics.

Skiers always use one-piece poles fit to their height. One-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. Snowshoers have also discovered the fact that cheap twist-locking poles often collapse unexpectedly or fail all together. Several snowshoe manufacturers have packaged FREE poles with their snowshoes – unfortunately many of these cheap twist-locking poles don’t even work correctly when taken out of their package. Last winter we met the Miller sisters at a local trailhead and sure enough one of their "free" poles broke before they even set foot on the trail.

At The American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we offer 14 different lengths of Nordic Walking Poles. Most companies only sell twist-locking poles (one-size that doesn’t fit all) and a few that do sell one-piece poles only carry 3-6 different lengths – not enough sizes to adequately cover all heights.

On Winter Trails Day The American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM will be providing free Nordic Walking Lessons and free Pole Demos. For the adventurous we will tour the unmarked lower Alligator Hill Trail. Advance reservations appreciated. For snowshoe and cross country ski opportunities across the USA check out the Winter Trails website: WWW.WINTERTRAILS.ORG

BUSHWHACKING WITH MY FAVORITE NORDIC WALKING POLES IN SEARCH OF THE MOREL MUSHROOM

My Nordic Walking Poles are doing double duty these days - it is spring and time to hunt for the prized morel mushroom. When I’m not hosting Nordic Walking classes I am hiking with my family and using my favorite Nordic Walking poles in the woods in search of the elusive morel mushroom.

My kids have always loved mushroom season – it is like a marathon Easter egg hunt involving 2-5 mile hikes and NO whining because they are so excited (especially if I keep my poles strapped on and let the kids pick my finds). But kids, being closer to the ground, don’t usually need any help finding their own secret stash.

Our best morel mushroom finds involve long hikes through hilly terrain and my Nordic Walking Poles save the day – just as they did when I had to give up marathon running. The poles really do radically reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back - on pavement, in the mall, on the beach, on your favorite trail or out bushwhacking. Even on the steepest terrain the 4-wheel-drive action of using poles makes bushwhacking much more enjoyable.

We tested our poles in the Grand Canyon last December and passed dozens of people that wanted to buy our poles on the spot. Again, the poles really saved the day. Using the right length poles reduces knee strain on downhills and reduces the stress to the lower back on the uphills. Sounds like magic, but it is just good physics. Poles are biomechanically a good thing!

Nordic Walking also burns up to 40% more calories than regular walking, works more muscle groups and improves balance and stability. As a ski coach it only makes sense to me to use one-piece poles for custom fit to my height for hiking and Nordic Walking. I find it hard to embrace twist-lock adjustable/telescoping/collapsible poles – given the reported issues with some twist-locks collapsing unexpectedly, vibrating excessively and/or making annoying clicking noises with every pole plant. Quality one-piece poles custom fit to each individual’s height are safer, lighter and more durable than twist-locking poles. Using perfect length poles and correct technique help to maximize the many benefits of Nordic Walking.

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

Backpackers didn’t discover the walking stick, but they knew a walking stick radically reduced the stress to the knees and back. Trekking poles became popular because two poles are better than one. And now, thanks to the ski coaches in Finland, there is Ski Walking or Nordic Walking – special poles with comfortable fingerless glove type straps and equipped with removable rubber tips for pavement and hard surfaces, plus metal tips for off-road, the beach, snow and ice.

Have FUN Ski Walking!

Morel Mushroom Festival Links:
http://www.mesick-mushroomfest.org/
http://www.morelfest.com/